Report: HBO to be the springboard for PPV shows

by MMAmania.com on Aug 13, 2007 8:59 AM EDT Comment 20 comments

hbo ufc
The UFC is still on course to finally put a ribbon on its plans to showcase events on the premium cable television network HBO, according to comments attributed to UFC President Dana White in a a recent TVWeek.com article.

Here's the snip:

"It will happen. What we're doing is going to get guys started on 'The Ultimate Fighter,' where they can then progress to a show like 'UFC Fight Night' before landing on HBO. HBO would then give them the opportunity for a title shot on PPV."

This has been an ongoing issue, which hit a major snag a few months ago when former HBO CEO — and champion of the partnership — Chris Albrecht was arrested for assault and released from his position as a result. To check out the back-and-forth developments regarding this drawn-out situation click here for more background.

With a deal seemingly imminent (again), it's interesting to hear from White how HBO fits into the mix. Essentially, we can expect bigger names and more high profile match ups as fighters move up the ladder from Spike, HBO and ultimately to the pay-per-view (PPV) broadcasts.

The "big picture" idea is to take the sport of mixed martial arts and the promotion "global" and into new parts of the world such as the massive Hispanic market, as well as Australia, Japan, Korea, Canada and other points across the globe.

And to do that the UFC will also rely on its syndicated broadcast series from Trifecta Entertainment called, "UFC Wired," which is set debut next month.

According to the report, "UFC Wired" will be hosted by none other than Joe Rogan an feature "the best bouts from the history of the UFC as a measure to introduce the sport and its fighters to the mainstream public."

"UFC Wired" is currently cleared in more than 85 percent of the country, with many major-market stations carrying it in early access or primetime.

Another snip from White:

"Our strategy right now is global. We're at a place in the U.S. where it's going to keep getting bigger and bigger as our fan base grows. I think that will especially be true once our syndicated series launches. But we are now in 150 countries with a powerful product that everyone understands. What we want to do now is take our events to these markets and create the first global pay-per-view with people from all over the world buying the fight."

Cha-ching.

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Comments

Does that mean we won’t get the events on Bravo in Europe?

by RobH86 on Aug 13, 2007 9:36 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I dont have hbo..i have spike. I dont want to miss any bouts!

by Scott on Aug 13, 2007 9:41 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Thank god I have HBO—it’s definitely worth $10 a month now.

by Jackie on Aug 13, 2007 9:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Thank god I have HBO—it’s definitely worth $10 a month now.

So u r saying that the only thing keeping me from having HBO is an extra $10 a month?

What channel will “ufc wired” be on HBO? or Spike?

by john on Aug 13, 2007 9:59 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Does that mean we won’t get the events on Bravo in Europe?

It dosnt affect our viewing in Britain,they wont want to loose all the viewers from here so I would expect to see more and more UFC over here in the UK(the ultimate kingdom) over the next few years dude.

by mcanena on Aug 13, 2007 10:04 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Is it me or does Dana sound like Dr. Evil, when he gets into his whole world domination speal. He has the hair cut for it.

“My next pay-per view will have fighters with freakin lasers on their heads. It shall have one Million veiwers, and I will call them mini-me’s.”

by Natese7en on Aug 13, 2007 10:16 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

SCREW HBO!!!!!!! Dont we already have to pay enough for the PPV events?? and now we have to subscribe to HBO to see our up and coming fighters?? Such BS!!! Plus were gonna have those faggot ass HBO commentators who will probably be comparing HBO boxing to MMA nonstop. Screw You DANA!!!!

by stunnalator on Aug 13, 2007 11:39 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

this means UFC in HD finally where I live. werd to your motha!

by djpullout on Aug 13, 2007 11:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

As I’ve been saying in 5 years (2012 Olympics) the UFC will be putting on shows that even the hardcore boxing crowd will have to admit is the best combat spectacle ever.

All of this will soon mean more and more talent streaming to the UFC from all ends of the globe.

We will have to wait a decade for the true effect to be seen, because as MMA gets more popular more kids are going want to participate and there will be another flood of young, well versed and hungury fighters.

Everything has a price you want MMA to grow, then don’t complain.

by Holdin Ropes on Aug 13, 2007 12:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If this deal does go through, then I guess it’s just more excuses for me to go to a bar that offers an UFC PPV. At least, I know I’ll get a good deal on beers that night. Always fun to go there with bunch of my friends.

by epps on Aug 13, 2007 12:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Thank god I have HBO—it’s definitely worth $10 a month now.

I finally got HBO and those are my sentiments exactly.

by Mahde on Aug 13, 2007 12:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

SCREW HBO!!!!!!! Dont we already have to pay enough for the PPV events?? and now we have to subscribe to HBO to see our up and coming fighters?? Such BS!!! Plus were gonna have those faggot ass HBO commentators who will probably be comparing HBO boxing to MMA nonstop. Screw You DANA!!!!

There are going to be more fights now. How could anyone have a problem with that? Plus, HBO has more than just the UFC. You ever hear of Entourage?

by Mahde on Aug 13, 2007 12:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

HBO has been playing games for awhile now….Why push it? Spike has been great for us all. I thought they were the stepping stone before you make it to the PPV shows?SCREW HBO!

by Stafo on Aug 13, 2007 2:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

it’s kind of weird but i actually don’t have spike tv so i have missed out big time for the ultimate fighter but i do have hbo :) so i guess i won’t miss out anymore.

by bryant on Aug 13, 2007 5:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think this is great, even though I dont have HBO, there are going to be a ton of more UFC events. I think this is going to make PPV events filled with nothing but the superstars. Great work, I say.

by c-war on Aug 13, 2007 10:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

THE MORE FIGHTS THE BETTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by ViolentMike on Aug 14, 2007 11:11 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

ufc hbo finally i have been waiting for months

by kljhfouhouhf on Aug 14, 2007 2:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

This is definitely a step in the right direction. But for me, I’d really love to see the UFC on ESPN. Nothing to take away from Spike or HBO, Spike does a good job broadcasting UFC content and I trust that the people at HBO will help elevate the quality of UFC programming. But having the UFC on ESPN says 2 things:

1.) It will obviously legitimize MMA and thereby reduce the negative stereotypes people have of the sport.

2.) UFC on ESPN will gradually propel MMA into the mainstream sports world and maybe get a deal with a major TV network such as ABC; after all, ESPN and ABC have a partnership together and are both owned by Disney.

by Abhi on Aug 14, 2007 9:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs